The New York Times broke the news Thursday evening that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, having recently had a come-to-prosecute-Orange-Jesus moment, has invited ex-president Donald Trump to testify before the grand jury investigating possibly illegal hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
"And finally, Trump has some viable defenses to the claim, like that he paid the hush money to Daniels not to shift the election in his favor but to avoid embarrassment at home—a tactic that legal expert Renato Mariotti noted worked successfully for one-time presidential candidate John Edwards."
Ummm. One sadly ironic detail that you left out: The losing prosecutor in the Edwards case was none other than the guy we are pinning our greatest hopes on, Special Prosecutor Jack Smith. I'll omit the obligatory deep sigh of chagrin.
Thank you for guiding us through these cases. Although unlikely given all of the legal disputes the Special Counsel is dealing with, in the back of my mind is the thought that indictments will somehow drop simultaneously in all three jurisdictions -- NY, Georgia and D.C (by DOJ). Should that occur, Trump will, of course, continue to play the victim but it will be harder for him and his supporters to focus their attack on the specific prosecutors if there are multiple targets.
I certainly hope you are correct that we will finally see the con artist in chief hauled in front of a judge and jury. This could become a very interesting year, and a conviction will be a warning to DeSantis and other potential Trump replacements that they need to be very careful to avoid a similar fate. I just hope Trump does not cheat the hangman by dropping dead, a distinct possibility given his health.
When the Stormy Daniels thing was a hot item, I was driving into Columbus (OH), and had to literally pull over to take a picture. Not only was I laughing hard, but traffic was bad, so I went into the parking lot and took the picture announcing her appearance. Apparently Stormy was coming to town to visit the local "emporium." It did not go well. The Columbus police department made fools of themselves. I'm sorry I can't post the picture here. Maybe I will on Facebook.
All I can say at this point is that it is a start. Chickens home to roost, and all that. Apologies to Joyce Vance and her beloved chickens.
This is a great piece. Thank you for explaining why this case matters and why it’s hopefully just the opening salvo on the road to holding Donald Trump accountable for his crimes.
Two things about your post today: 1) the Stormy Daniels thing doesn't really matter. Trumpers will laugh this off. And some Democrats who hate him, too. 2) the only thing that counts is "I just want 11,780 votes," a number that will live in infamy if it isn't already on a lot of license plates. (I just needed to say license plates because, well, who knows, maybe someday Trump will be making license plates...? A guy can dream.) This was a real crime, prima facie evidence, and a threat to democracy, etc. After we absorb whether he's getting indicted (or not), what matters is the timing and the way Trump handles it. (His witch hunt strategy will only energize the base and even sway a few sympathy votes). Eugene Debs ran for President from behind bars and got almost a million votes. Think about that. Otherwise, you're right about one thing: he's just trying to run out the clock.
I really do appreciate getting some clarity about these issues. In Australia there is a right wing media bias so I rely on your reporting to make sense of everything that's happening for my 92 year old father (who is NOT a Trump admirer)
What I don't understand is why he wasn't charge in January 2021 when he was heard threatening the Secretary of Georgia, or in August 2022 when he refused to return Classified Documents to the National Archives? This thing with Stormy is getting real old also.
Bragg was spot on not to proceed with the earlier case re: inflated values of real estate made by trump. I spent 40 years as a commercial loan officer and never met a borrower who didn't think his assets were worth far more than they actually were. The first problem for prosecutors is that banks don't rely on stated values - they have an independent appraisal (or two) completed by a certified, trained professional. Second - a borrower would argue that they are not certified appraisers and are ignorant about valuation. Overstating values is an extension of a borrower's ego (subjective) and hopes. Banks are more concerned about material omissions or misstatements of objective facts as to ownership etc. Given trump's reputation, no bank would take a statement of net worth seriously and it would be easy in a trial to prove that Deutsch Bank challenged those values as they worked through their analysis. BTW - those same borrowers who were inflating asset values were also - at the same time - telling the tax assessors that the property is worthless.
"And finally, Trump has some viable defenses to the claim, like that he paid the hush money to Daniels not to shift the election in his favor but to avoid embarrassment at home—a tactic that legal expert Renato Mariotti noted worked successfully for one-time presidential candidate John Edwards."
Ummm. One sadly ironic detail that you left out: The losing prosecutor in the Edwards case was none other than the guy we are pinning our greatest hopes on, Special Prosecutor Jack Smith. I'll omit the obligatory deep sigh of chagrin.
Thank you for guiding us through these cases. Although unlikely given all of the legal disputes the Special Counsel is dealing with, in the back of my mind is the thought that indictments will somehow drop simultaneously in all three jurisdictions -- NY, Georgia and D.C (by DOJ). Should that occur, Trump will, of course, continue to play the victim but it will be harder for him and his supporters to focus their attack on the specific prosecutors if there are multiple targets.
Oh we are within interesting times, and we all turn as one to the source of this wretched malediction: thanks a heap.
But together we can surely make it outta this rabbit hole, heads intact, perhaps, in some cases, restored, with justice served.
I certainly hope you are correct that we will finally see the con artist in chief hauled in front of a judge and jury. This could become a very interesting year, and a conviction will be a warning to DeSantis and other potential Trump replacements that they need to be very careful to avoid a similar fate. I just hope Trump does not cheat the hangman by dropping dead, a distinct possibility given his health.
When the Stormy Daniels thing was a hot item, I was driving into Columbus (OH), and had to literally pull over to take a picture. Not only was I laughing hard, but traffic was bad, so I went into the parking lot and took the picture announcing her appearance. Apparently Stormy was coming to town to visit the local "emporium." It did not go well. The Columbus police department made fools of themselves. I'm sorry I can't post the picture here. Maybe I will on Facebook.
All I can say at this point is that it is a start. Chickens home to roost, and all that. Apologies to Joyce Vance and her beloved chickens.
I like that. The year of accountability. 🤞
This is a great piece. Thank you for explaining why this case matters and why it’s hopefully just the opening salvo on the road to holding Donald Trump accountable for his crimes.
Oh I would love it if tRump went down for this, quickly followed by indictments in GA...my heart would rest better!
"what I hope will at last become a year of accountability."
Amen!
Two things about your post today: 1) the Stormy Daniels thing doesn't really matter. Trumpers will laugh this off. And some Democrats who hate him, too. 2) the only thing that counts is "I just want 11,780 votes," a number that will live in infamy if it isn't already on a lot of license plates. (I just needed to say license plates because, well, who knows, maybe someday Trump will be making license plates...? A guy can dream.) This was a real crime, prima facie evidence, and a threat to democracy, etc. After we absorb whether he's getting indicted (or not), what matters is the timing and the way Trump handles it. (His witch hunt strategy will only energize the base and even sway a few sympathy votes). Eugene Debs ran for President from behind bars and got almost a million votes. Think about that. Otherwise, you're right about one thing: he's just trying to run out the clock.
I really do appreciate getting some clarity about these issues. In Australia there is a right wing media bias so I rely on your reporting to make sense of everything that's happening for my 92 year old father (who is NOT a Trump admirer)
What I don't understand is why he wasn't charge in January 2021 when he was heard threatening the Secretary of Georgia, or in August 2022 when he refused to return Classified Documents to the National Archives? This thing with Stormy is getting real old also.
“the claim, like that he paid the hush money to Daniels not to shift the election in his favor but to avoid embarrassment at home”
Mrs. Melania Trump’s own words belie that claim. She has been vocal over the years that she is not a jealous wife.
Bragg was spot on not to proceed with the earlier case re: inflated values of real estate made by trump. I spent 40 years as a commercial loan officer and never met a borrower who didn't think his assets were worth far more than they actually were. The first problem for prosecutors is that banks don't rely on stated values - they have an independent appraisal (or two) completed by a certified, trained professional. Second - a borrower would argue that they are not certified appraisers and are ignorant about valuation. Overstating values is an extension of a borrower's ego (subjective) and hopes. Banks are more concerned about material omissions or misstatements of objective facts as to ownership etc. Given trump's reputation, no bank would take a statement of net worth seriously and it would be easy in a trial to prove that Deutsch Bank challenged those values as they worked through their analysis. BTW - those same borrowers who were inflating asset values were also - at the same time - telling the tax assessors that the property is worthless.
The crime fraud exception at play here is so logical to me it’s hard to believe that any judge could find in favor of the lawyer or even Pence.
“and David Pecker (yes, Pecker)”
Really, Jay? When there are so many legitimate criticisms to make of these people do we really need to stoop to kindergarten-level smirks?